Nikon of Maromilia

Holy Martyr Nikon of Maromilia is one of those who believed in Christ after the martyrdom of Saint Mark the shepherd and were killed in Maromilia, in the time of Diocletian (284-305).

With him are commemorated Alexander, Alphaeus, Zosimas, Mark, Neon and Heliodorus. Mark, a shepherd, was seized for his open confession in the neighbourhood of Antioch of Pisidia. Thirty soldiers who took him were turned to the faith by him and were beheaded at Nicaea, and Mark was given to torments. For the instruments of torture three brothers, smiths of the village of Katalita, were called: Alexander, Alphaeus and Zosimas, but the iron would not be worked and melted, and the smiths' hands went stiff. Hearing a voice that called them to suffer together with Saint Mark, the brothers believed in Christ. After heavy torments molten tin was poured down their throats (28 September). Mark, after torments, was beheaded at Claudiopolis (21 September). When the head of the holy martyr was brought into the temple of Artemis, all the idols fell and shattered. The witnesses of the miracle, Nikon, Neon, Heliodorus, maidens and youths, believed in Christ, confessed their faith and died as martyrs in Maromilia (13 July).

Their memory is kept on 11 October, in the new style. Their sufferings were written down by Saint Demetrius of Rostov.